ensign

[ en-sahyn; Military en-suhn ]

noun

1. a flag or banner, as a military or naval standard used to indicate nationality.

   Synonyms: streamer, pennant

2. a badge of office or authority, as heraldic arms.
3. a sign, token, or emblem:

   the dove, an ensign of peace.

4. U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. the lowest commissioned officer, ranking next below a lieutenant, junior grade, and equal to a second lieutenant in the Army.
5. Archaic. standard-bearer ( def 1 ).

ensign

/ ˈɛnsaɪn /

noun

1. See White Ensign, Red Ensign
   alsoˈɛnsən a flag flown by a ship, branch of the armed forces, etc, to indicate nationality, allegiance, etc See also Red Ensign White Ensign
2. any flag, standard, or banner
3. a standard-bearer
4. a symbol, token, or emblem; sign
5. (in the US Navy) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank
6. (in the British infantry) a colours bearer
7. (formerly in the British infantry) a commissioned officer of the lowest rank

Derived Forms

• ˈensignˌship, noun

Other Words From

• ensign·ship ensign·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensign¹

1325–75; Middle English ensigne < Old French enseigne < Latin insignia; insignia

Word History and Origins

Origin of ensign¹

C14: from Old French enseigne, from Latin insignia

Example Sentences

As a result, throughout the nation men returned to campuses, and universities and colleges began to grind out ensigns and lieutenants in the thousands.

From Washington Post

Hello, Sen. David Vitter, John Ensign, Larry Craig, and so on.

From The Daily Beast

South Gov. Mark Sanford, Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Anthony Weiner—all did their pressers of shame without their better halves.

From The Daily Beast

Ensign resigned from the Senate the day before he was going to testify under oath about the scandal.

From The Daily Beast

ALLEGED OFFENDERS: John Edwards, John Ensign, James McGreevey.

From The Daily Beast

ALLEGED OFFENDERS: Bill Clinton, former Sen. John Ensign, California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Sen. Larry Craig.

From The Daily Beast

A golden eagle, the armorial ensign of the Ripperda family, crested the centre arch.

From Project Gutenberg

He took part in a number of campaigns and received his first commission, that of Ensign, in 1890.

From Project Gutenberg

The Hope lay safely moored, with her ensign at the peak, and flying the distinguished flag of the firm.

From Project Gutenberg

The flag of the club is the blue ensign of Her Majesty's fleet, with a gold crown and Maltese cross.

From Project Gutenberg

Our vessels paid him the more modest compliment of one royal salute, and hoisting the French imperial ensign.

From Project Gutenberg